Proteins Flashcards
What is a protein composed of?
Proteins are polymers of amino acids
Name some bodily uses of amino acids
The body uses amino acids to:
- create new proteins to use for various bodily functions
- make nitrogen containing compounds (proteins contain N)
- convert to energy (4Kcal/gram)
How many amino acids are there?
20
Of all the amino acids, how many are essential? (How many can the body not synthisize?)
9
About how many types of proteins exist in the body
100,000
Is the digestion of protein active or inactive?
Active, it requires ATP
How does the body synthisize a protein?
DNA first codes for mRNA. Amino acids attactch themselves to mRNA in a specific sequence to form a protein.
What may occur if just one amino acid is missing from the body?
Protein synthesis for proteins requiring this amino acid may be completely inhibited.
What is a high quality protein?
A protein containing all 9 essential amino acids
What is a low quality protein?
A protein which does not contain all 9 essential amino acids
Where are high quality proteins generally found?
Animals sources
Where are low quality proteins generally found?
Plant sources
How could one obtain all 9 essential amino acids in their diet without consuming high quality proteins?
They could consume multiple low quality proteins which, if combined, contain all 9 essential amino acids.
What is a limiting amino acid?
The amino acids which is present in the lowest quanitty compared to the need for this amino acid – may be higher in overall quantity than other amino acids, yet more of this amino acid may be required for synthesis of a certain protein than other amino acids which are lower in quanity in the body
What is a method of judging protein quality?
Examine weight gained by an animal compared to grams of proteins fed to them (more weight, higher quality protein)
What makes up an amino acid?
An acid group and a amino group
What is a peptide bond?
A strong bond betwen amino acids which is generally not broken down by cooking
Where does protein digestion begin?
The stomach
Where is the primary site of protein digestion?
The small intestine
What is gastrin? Where is it found? What is its function?
A hormone released in the stomach, it stimulates the release of acid and pepsin for protein digestion
What is pepsin? Where is it found? What is its function
An enzyme released in the stomach, it helps to break down proteins into smaller peptones
What is a peptone?
A smaller building block of a protein
What are trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase? Where are they secreted? Where are they active? What is their function?
Enzymes secreted by the pancreas amd present in the small intestine, they help to break down peptones and proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids
What is Kwashiorkor? Does this deal with calories, protein or both?
A disease resulting from protein deficiancy, not a defeiciancy in overall calories
What is a notable symptom of Kwashiorkor?
A bloated belly
What is Marasmus? Does this deal with calories, protein or both?
A disease resulting from protein deficiancy as well as overall calorie deficiancy
What is a notable symptom of Marasmus?
Very low body weight and muscle mass
What is the RDA for proteins?
.8 grams/Kg of lean body weight
